NATURE STUDY 



4084 



NATURE STUDY 



peted with moss, or it can be sown with grass 

 seed. The children will be interested in bring- 

 ing in as many different seedling trees as they 

 can find, and the- can he changed from time 

 to time. Tiny plants which bear transplanting 



A TERRARIUM 



can also be set out, to create a realistic scenic 

 effect. Animal inmates of the terrarium will 

 be a never-ending source of delight. Toads, 

 turtles and salamanders, caterpillars, butterflies, 

 potato beetles and other insects are easily pro- 

 cured. If possible, add a shallow pan of water 

 for a pond so that those inmates which need it 

 can have water. The terrarium can be emptied, 

 if it seems desirable, and a hen or a rabbit or 

 a duck may become an inmate for a day or two. 



J^ 



AN ANIMAL CASE 



The Aquarium. Like the terrarium, it may 

 be as simple or as elaborate as one desires. 

 (Illustrations appear under the title AQUARIUM.) 

 Any glass container will do for an aquarium, for 



even a jelly glass is large enough to harbor a 

 whole family of insects. A layer of sand should 

 be placed in the bottom of the jar, perhaps an 

 inch deep. In this sand may be sown such 

 water plants as watercress, stoneworts or water 

 stanvort. A layer of stones will then need to 

 be added to hold the plants in place. It must 

 be remembered that plant life is essential to the 

 success of an aquarium, as the plants supply 

 both food and oxygen to the inmates. In filling 

 the jar it will be necessary to tip it and pour 

 the water in very gently so as not to disturb 

 the plants. Water from a tap should never be 

 used ; it should always be water from a pond or 

 stream. A dip net can be used to get living 

 creatures for the aquarium. In a large 

 aquarium several varieties of aquatic life can 

 be confined at the same time, but in a small 

 one the animals will survive longer if each is 

 kept in a separate jar. Prepared fish food, a 

 bit of meat, insects or worms can be dropped 

 into the jars for the inmates to feed on, with 

 a string attached so that they can be removed 

 at the end of a day; otherwise the water will 

 become foul. 



Insect Cages. Cages for insects may be made 

 by putting an ordinary glass lamp chimney on 

 the top of a flowerpot, and covering the top 

 with a piece of cheesecloth or mosquito net- 

 ting fastened in place with a rubber band. The 

 aquarium jars may be covered in the same way 

 if water insects, such as water beetles or water 

 boatmen, are to be kept from escaping. A 

 number of these insect cages can be used with 

 profit. Flies may be bred in one; in others, 

 plant lice, ants, ladybird beetles, butterflies or 

 moths may be confined and observed. It is 

 particularly desirable that the children should 

 have a chance to note the life cycles of various 

 insects. 



Flowerpots should be furnished in abundance, 

 as well as baskets and boxes, which may be used 

 for gardening in miniature or for carrying speci- 

 mens. If live animals are to be brought in, 

 such as a kitten, a rabbit, or a chicken, a cov- 

 ered basket with two handles will be needed. 

 There should also be garden tools and plenty 

 of cheesecloth. The latter may be used for a 

 number of purposes, not the least of which 

 should be dusting. The pupils will need to 

 learn to keep their tables and other possessions 

 free of dust. 



A Lens. If a lens can be procured it will 

 prove a never-ending source of interest to the 

 children. The best lens for young children is 

 one they will not need to handle one which is 





